HIS LAST CALL TO WORSHIP

His Call to Worship lasted 58 years, until he was 80 years old, and his boss was the same for those 58 years.

During his illness the last few months, Reverend Frank Starkey continued to witness even through his silence.

The mode of communication was the computer manned by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Starkey. Messages sent daily to family, friends and prayer chain warriors and prayer partners were relentless.

News of Pastor Starkey's illness circled the United States from Elma , New York , to Boston , Mass. , to the southern tip of Florida …into Texas and up the coast of California. Coos Bay , Oregon then north into Washington . Over through Idaho , Minnesota , Michigan , Ohio , Kansas , Tennessee , also the state of New Mexico . Across Arizona the Call to Prayer was made. It hit Hawaii with a blast. It was a call by family and friends to prayer. It was a witness by the people calling others to their knees in prayer. One dear friend prayed all through her MRI at the hospital. For five months people prayed daily.

It was Pastor Starkey's last call to his people to remember to pray and remember to KEEP GOD IN THEIR LIVES.

Now his work for his "Boss" is over.

Pastor Starkey graduated from Wittenberg University in Springfield , Ohio , in 1953, received his theological degree from Hamma School of Theology in 1955 and was ordained by the Ohio Synod of the United Lutheran Church in America on May 18, 1955.

The summer before his Ordination he and his wife lived in a tent for the summer and traveled the state of Michigan surveying possible Mission Fields for the Board of American Missions. The following year, upon his Ordination, they went back to Grand Rapids , Michigan and established a Church under the auspices of the Board of American Missions.

Pastor Frank served parishes in Michigan , Iowa and Arizona . In California he has served parishes in Escondido , Glendale , Cerritos , Mission Viejo and retired from Red Hill Lutheran Church in Tustin 15 years ago. Since his retirement he has completed specialized interim ministry training and served as Interim Pastor at Los Altos Lutheran Church , Light of Christ Lutheran Church in Turlock , Trinity Lutheran Church in Hollister, Grace Lutheran in King City and a Mission Church in Ranchos Madera.

He has written four books and supervised five internship programs.

After retiring to King City , California , he and his wife Barbara purchased the Hamilton House and in February of 2000 they opened the Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast which is today a Five Star B and B. That is where Pastor Starkey died with his family by him.

He was born to Reverend and Mrs. Charles H. Starkey in Springfield , Oho. He is survived by his brother Dr. Paul Starkey and his wife E.J. of Coos Bay , Oregon and his sister, Hazel Grace Starkey Shell of Miamisburg , Ohio along with many nieces and nephews.

Pastor and Barbara have three children: Saundra Starkey Carganilla (George) of Simi Valley , Tina Starkey Lopez (Vince) of King City and Gary Todd Starkey (Meg) of Long Beach They have been very blessed with eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Granddaughter Maggie Lopez wrote and posted a note over her Grandfather's bed which read: "SLEEP HE MUST -SUPPORTED BY TROOPS, HE SHALL BE PUSHED AND ENCOURAGED. HE SHALL BE ADVOCATED FOR, HE SHALL BE LOVED FOR WHOM HE IS…ALWAYS. Amen."

His Memorial Service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church , 205 Canal St . King City on Saturday, June 22 at 1:00pm. The Manor House at 201 South Mildred, just 2 blocks from the church will be the site of a reception.

In lieu of flowers, the Reverend Frank Starkey Memorial Fund has been set up at Grace Lutheran Church , 205 Canal Street , King City , 93930.

Also a Memorial Fund has been established at Sol Treasurers Art Center , 519 Broadway, King City , 93930 which he loved to visit.